Copia Winery arsonist sentenced to 5 years

St. Louis, MO – A former employee of a downtown restaurant will spend five years in federal prison for setting the fires that destroyed the Copia Urban Winery and Market.

Twenty-seven year old Gilbert Summers of St. Louis will also have to pay nearly $2.7 million in restitution for the fires, which he set after being dismissed from his job in a dispute over a missing paycheck of another employee. He pleaded guilty in September 2008 to felony arson.

The fires destroyed Copia and damaged the Vanguard Lofts next door. The Lofts have opened - Copia Winery remains closed.